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Building CLI Applications with C# and .NET
Building CLI Applications with C# and .NET

Building CLI Applications with C# and .NET: A step-by-step guide to developing cross-platform CLI apps—from coding and testing to deployment

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Building CLI Applications with C# and .NET

Introduction to CLI Applications

In the realm of computing, command-line interface (CLI) applications exemplify the enduring power and efficiency of text-based user interfaces. Unlike their graphical counterparts, CLI applications offer a streamlined, no-frills approach to interacting with software, allowing users to execute commands, manipulate files, and perform a myriad of tasks right from the terminal, or automate them so these tasks do not require user interaction at all!

In this chapter, we will cover the following topics:

  • An IT professional’s typical day
  • What CLI applications are, what their benefits are, and when to use them
  • Popular CLI applications

A day in the life of an IT professional

It’s a beautiful Monday morning. Today, my team and I are starting a new project.

The project is to build a web application using ASP.NET with Entity Framework as an object-relational mapper (ORM), NuGet for managing dependencies, Git as a code versioning system, and, since the application is to be deployed on Azure, Bicep as an infrastructure scripting language.

A few years ago, I would have used GUI applications for this, such as the full-fledged Visual Studio, GitHub Desktop, or GitKraken, and the Azure portal.

Today, I doing most of my work in Visual Studio Code and its integrated terminal.

So, I use commands such as mkdir to create my project directory, cd to position myself into this directory, dotnet new to create my project, git init to initialize the Git repository, dotnet add package to add NuGet packages as dependencies to my project, dotnet ef dbcontext scaffold to generate a database context and all the entity...

Why care about CLI applications?

Because they improve our productivity by keeping us focused on the task at hand.

You see, when we switch contexts between different applications, the chances are that we lose sight of what we were doing and get derailed from our task by some other unrelated activity.

By relying on CLI applications, all the commands that we type and execute happen to be within the same terminal, so we have a better chance of staying focused on what we are doing, thus achieving more.

To CLI or not to CLI?

That is the question. And the answer is quite simple: you don’t have to choose. In some scenarios, CLI applications make perfect sense, while in others they make no sense. Imagine using Microsoft Teams, Slack, or any tool of the Adobe Creative Suite. Would it make sense to interact with these applications as CLI applications? Of course not! (unless it is for installing and configuring them).

So, the point here is that you become aware of the power of CLI applications, and you start taking advantage of them in your everyday workflow. They are not meant to replace those outstanding GUI applications.

As my wife, Lamia Rarrbo (who is an executive coach) says: “This is not an or situation but rather an and situation.”

CLI applications as the building block for creating workstation profiles

Let me tell you a true story. A few years ago, one of my customers asked me to come up with a solution to build workstation configuration profiles for different roles within their company.

This is nothing new, you may say, and you are exactly right!

So, what makes this situation worth mentioning? What makes it special?

For many years, this used to be achieved using customized OS images, depending on the role you have in the organization. However, this comes at a cost:

  • The cost of storage: These images tend to be large and hence require a lot of disk space to store them.
  • The cost of OS updates: When a new OS version is introduced, the IT department must recreate all images.
  • The cost of tools updates: When new versions of the tools utilized by the various profiles are introduced, the IT department must recreate the impacted images.
  • The cost of frustration: Since computers are configured...

Even heavy graphical applications have a CLI tool!

Why is the preceding story interesting?

It’s not because of the use of PowerShell, WinGet, or Chocolatey. These are clearly CLI tools.

It is because we designed a way to install software from the command line without involving any GUI. This means that even if we are installing graphical applications (such as the Microsoft Office suite, internet browsers, and the Adobe suite), we are doing so by relying on their own CLI tools.

Yes, these graphical applications provide a CLI tool allowing us to install (and sometimes also configure) these applications.

Even ChatGPT has a CLI!

A quick Google search and I found that there are even CLI applications for ChatGPT! Can you believe that?!

You can check out some of them at https://github.com/kardolus/chatgpt-cli and https://github.com/marcolardera/chatgpt-cli.

I am telling you: CLI applications are truly everywhere, and once you start caring about them, you start noticing how much they are part of your day!

Summary

If you work in IT, you have most likely already used at least one CLI application of some sort (and the chances are that you use many of them!), and you may even be using it on a daily basis.

I am sure that, by now, you have understood the value of CLI applications and the role they play in your everyday job.

In this book, we will explore every aspect of building our very own CLI applications, that serve our needs and those of our users and customers.

Feeling excited? Then, grab your keyboard, fire up your terminal, and let’s start coding!

We have only scratched the surface of what CLI applications can do and why they’re an essential tool in today’s tech landscape. I want this book to be your roadmap and your guide in this exciting journey.

Oh, and by the way, do not simply read this book, experience it!

Now, turn this page, and let’s continue our journey together. The world of CLI applications awaits you!

Enjoy the journey.

...
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Key benefits

  • Receive expert guidance on building CLI applications with .NET
  • Implement advanced techniques for creating cross-platform, modular, and robust CLI applications
  • Put your knowledge into practice through hands-on exercises and real-world projects
  • Purchase of the print or Kindle book includes a free PDF eBook

Description

Developers and system administrators often face challenges like inefficient workflows, complex system operations, and the growing demand for robust automation tools. CLI applications provide a powerful solution by enhancing flexibility, efficiency, and productivity in various environments. This book will guide you through mastering the development of robust command-line tools using .NET. Written by a Microsoft Azure MVP, the book’s hands-on approach ensures practical experience with real-world projects. You’ll start with an overview of foundational principles, essential concepts, and best practices for CLI application development. From there, you’ll advance to creating interactive interfaces, integrating with external APIs and services, and implementing security measures to safeguard your applications. Each chapter will build progressively from basic to advanced topics. Beyond development, you’ll learn how to enhance application quality through testing, package for efficient distribution, and deploy effectively. The book also teaches strategies to optimize performance to ensure your applications run efficiently under heavy usage. By the end of this book, you’ll have gained a deep understanding of CLI application development with .NET to build modular, extensible, and easy-to-maintain applications.

Who is this book for?

This book is for software developers, architects, and DevOps engineers aiming to enhance their existing SaaS platforms or optimize system operations. It focuses on providing users with CLI applications that automate and streamline workflows, unlocking operational efficiency. A basic understanding of programming concepts and prior experience with .NET and C# is expected, as this book doesn't cover introductory material.

What you will learn

  • Master CLI application development principles to enhance productivity
  • Build modular and extensible CLI applications that adapt to evolving needs
  • Develop interactive CLI applications for engaging user experiences
  • Integrate external APIs and services to extend functionality
  • Implement robust security measures to ensure data protection
  • Improve quality and reliability through comprehensive testing
  • Package and deploy CLI applications efficiently for smooth releases
  • Optimize performance to achieve high efficiency and effectiveness
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Length: 300 pages
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Language : English
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Table of Contents

21 Chapters
Part 1: Getting Started with CLI Applications Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 1: Introduction to CLI Applications Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 2: Setting Up the Development Environment Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 3: Basic Concepts of Console Applications in .NET Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Part 2: Foundations of Building CLI Applications Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 4: Command-Line Parsing Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 5: Input/Output and File Handling Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 6: Error Handling and Logging Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Part 3: Advanced Topics in CLI Application Development Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 7: Interactive CLI Applications Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 8: Building Modular and Extensible CLI Applications Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 9: Working with External APIs and Services Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Part 4: Testing and Deployment Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 10: Testing CLI Applications Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 11: Packaging and Deployment Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Part 5: Advanced Techniques and Best Practices Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 12: Performance Optimization and Tuning Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 13: Security Considerations for CLI Applications Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 14: Additional Resources and Libraries Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Index Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Other Books You May Enjoy Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

Customer reviews

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Camilo Reyes Aug 09, 2025
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Pretty fun, lightweight, book that teaches the principles of CLI with some nice clean techniques in C#.
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